Kenzo Saruhashi, the CEO of Nippon Ichi Software and now also president of subsidiary NIS America, is worried about Sony ending physical game discs in 2028. But he thinks Sony might hear him out.
At PAX West, Saruhashi told a reporter that his company is having “discussions” with Sony about the move. He said the publisher makes a large share of its business from physical limited editions packed with discs and various other goodies.
Saruhashi said the company is working off the same information the public has. He does not know what other companies are doing. But he knows what Nippon Ichi does.
Saruhashi’s Case For Physical Editions
“We, for our part, intend to continue making those physical editions and delivering the exceptional quality that our customers are expecting of us,” Saruhashi said.
The company has tried digital-only paths before. It briefly used game key cards on Switch 2, but that seemed unpopular with fans. So the physical boxes keep coming back.
Saruhashi was asked directly if the company would move to a “code in the box” format once Sony stops making discs. He acknowledged that is one possibility. But he did not commit to it.
What Sony Has Asked Developers
There is a second thread here. PlayStation is reportedly sending surveys to game developers, asking how they sell physical games. The surveys cover a few specific questions:
- How much of a developer’s sales come from physical editions
- What formats those editions use
- Whether developers expect Sony to stop producing discs
- How they plan to handle sales after disc production ends
Saruhashi said he believes Sony is hearing a lot of the feedback from customers. He said the discussion may change in the future.
That reading fits with the survey news. It also fits with Saruhashi’s own optimism.
The Limits Of Optimism
This is a small publisher talking to a giant platform holder. Saruhashi’s company makes limited editions. The power balance is not equal.
The survey detail is described as “reportedly” sent, so the story is careful to hedge on it. But the reading is still a reading, not a fact.
Saruhashi could just be being optimistic. He wants his editions to keep selling. He wants Sony to listen.
What seems more likely to me is that Sony may find a path to allow certain companies the ability to continue making limited amounts of physical discs for special limited editions, such as those Nippon Ichi makes.
What Happens Next
Until otherwise announced, we can only assume that the death of discs will occur right on schedule at the end of next year.
That is the honest position. Sony has announced its plan. Companies like Nippon Ichi are reacting to it. The survey data is reportedly out there. The discussions are happening.
The outcome is not known yet. Saruhashi’s company will keep making its editions. Sony will keep deciding what happens to them.
The story is small but pointed. A publisher who makes a living from physical boxes is talking to the company that controls the future of the medium. The CEO is optimistic. The platform holder is surveying. The deadline is set.
Source material: “Disgaea Dev CEO Says Company Is Having ‘Discussions’ With Sony About The End Of Physical Discs: ‘I Think That They’re Hearing A Lot Of The Feedback From Customers’,” Kotaku.
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